No Expansion Policies Seen For Princeton

Enlarged University Would Lower Education Standard

NO WRITER ATTRIBUTED
February 15, 1955

In an explanation of a statement made Sunday by Princeton President Harold W. Dodds, a high Princeton admissions official predicted last night that the university would follow Yale in announcing a policy of non-expansion.

The official felt Princeton would not expand even if it could raise the necessary funds to do so. "We don't want to water down the type of education we give here," he said.

Dodds had announced the start of a survey on Princeton's curriculum and facilities, saying he had began it in anticipation of a coming "bull market in education." He emphasized that the impending sharp increase in college enrollments constituted a 'major national question."

"After the war we had to expand to accommodate all the veterans," the official added. "But at that time it became clear that a type of institution like Princeton starts to break down with increased numbers."

The purpose of the survey, according to the official, will be to give the public statistical, will be to give the public statistical proof that expansion here is completely unfeasible." He expected the survey's report to say that existing facilities would prevent Princeton from expanding while still giving the same sort of education it does now.

Contradicts Dodds

These comments contradicted a statement Dodds made in his announcement of the survey. Dodds said he did not think the solution of the national college problem would be "sought in the area of higher standards and more rigorous selection of those who go to college."

A record 4,400 applications, however, have already been received by Princeton for the class of 1959. "And there is virtually no chance that we will change our present policy of admitting a freshman class of 750," the official said.